An amusing Woot shirt.

During my career at Notre Dame, there are a few websites that I've come across that are pretty darn good. Woot.com is one of them. Here is a shirt that won the Derby a few weeks ago, and it amazing.

Are you happy?

I'm listening to Alicia Keys "Like you'll never see me again"

Love me like you'll never see me again.
(Get full lyrics here.)

Since I haven't had much time to write in my blog, I haven't been able to talk about my life and things that I've been through. I can say that I have had a lot of near death experiences. And I have loved move than once in my life. Each love I had was different and exciting in their own way, each one unique and different.

I pose the question "Are you happy?" because I know it is something that people don't always ask themselves. Everyone else, at least most of the people I care about most, ask this of everyone else, trying to fulfill everything they can so that the people they care about answer "Yes, I am." But do we really look at ourselves and ask if we're happy? Often times I think of human beings as selfish or only interested in benefiting for themselves...but when I really think of it, I think there are so many of us out in the world that are selfless...wanting everyone else happy before we ask ourselves if we're happy. If we cannot ask ourselves if we are happy, how much more do we do anything that makes ourselves happy.

A perfect example are my parents, I know they're happy, because us kids having a good life makes them happy. But they never once said, "I want this, it's ok if the kids don't go to the movies." They would sacrifice a meal, a desired dress, a night out just so our kids could buy a toy that would be played with for a while and then cast aside. As lovers (and I mean that in a non-romantic way), humans always put their loved ones before themselves, no questions asked.

I bring this up because I had a hard day today, frustrated about some petty thing about my friends forgetting to ask me to join them for JPW dinner. This upset me greatly, but I tried to not let it show. When Michael visited me later he knew something was wrong, and eventually ended up trying to get me a spot near my friends for JPW so I wouldn't be all alone, even offering to give up his weekend to spend at JPW with me and my parents. Michael always seems to sacrifice for my happiness. Yet, I still ask myself "Am I happy?"

Yes, I am happy with the direction my life is going. Yes, I'm blessed to be here at this university, here with my amazing boyfriend, here. Just plain here. I am so blessed to be alive and live each day. God gives me all that I need to survive (otherwise I wouldn't be alive, right?). Yet, sometimes I feel that there is something lacking. Whether it be missing old friends, or the yearning to start the rest of my life, but I just seem to sometimes feel like I need more in life. Yet, there are days where nothing can be better.

I know that everyone goes through these ups and downs, some more than others, but ultimately, I think we must ask,overall, if we are happy or not.

My answer? Yes, I'm happy. Yes, I do have some sadness that won't go away all too fast, but I have a roof over my head, food that fills my stomach, friends and family that feed my heart and soul, books to feed my intellect, and nature to let my spirit run free.

There will always be things that you look back on in life, but the some things to remember are that everything happens for a reason, God never gives you more than you can handle with Him, God has a plan, and God never ever makes mistakes.

Three words:
Exhausting but fulfilling

Adobo!

Michael made me adobo...it was SOOOOO yummy. I miss Chicken Adobo. Yay!!!

Happy Anniversary, Michael!

Cheeses: Gouda, Monterey, Cheddar Jack, American, Provolone, Parmesan...

The title has nothing to do with my blog post.

I'm kinda sick, I think from exhaustion.

This week has been crazy. But yeah, it was Michael and my two year anniversary. It was full of fun and surprises...and it continues today! I got a lucky bamboo, a clean shaven boyfriend, a chicken pot pie, games and games of bowling, and he's cooking for me today!

Nothing too exciting at school, just that I switched into Fr. Gorski's class, and now have one class MWU and then my straight through classes TR.

Now time to go back to bed. Hehe.

Three words:

Full Of Love

Anniversaries

Today (well yesterday now) was Michael and my official two year anniversary, though we've been together for two and a half years. It was overall a good day. I'll write more tomorrow, but I have a class at 9. Goodnight, World. Goodnight, Abyss.

Irony/Fate

I watched Hunchback of Notre Dame and remembered Esmerelda was one of my favorite Disney females. Then I talked to my brother later and, as I sit at Notre Dame, he has found and is now dating a girl named Esmerelda. Their one week is today (21st) as well as mine and michael's official 2 year anniversary (though we've been dating two and a half years). I thought it was at least interesting.

We Googled You

A case that we had to read in Business Problem Solving was "We Googled You," essentially, a case where there was a good candidate for a job and then she was googled and "dirt" was found on her. So naturally, that caused me to Google myself. I then found out that one of my art pieces was featured in the summer Notre Dame magazine. This I found funny, because, again relating to Business Problem Solving, a guy in my class was featured in this seasons Notre Dame magazine and didn't know it either.

A bit of sad news.

My friend Alicia is getting a divorce, she has maybe a four year old baby? Maybe he's three, I can't remember.

My friend Betty Huff passed away, but at least it was a peaceful death.

So busy, I apologize

Hey all!

Sorry, I apologize, I will be MIA for a while. Busy with the start of work.

My sister found Jesus, I didn't know he was missing, but she found Him.

The above is a quote from one of my bosses, Kat...she's awesome :)

Day 1 Parts 1 and Part 2(ish) - complete

I say day 1 part 1 and 2, since with MW and TR classes, you have to first day of school in college.

I have one more class to go in an hour, but besides that, I'm done...and WAAAY back in the swing of things...maybe too back in the swing of things...haha.

I already had a work meeting and a shift, as well as my other work and a meeting for that tonight, all my classes, and I'm talking at a retreat. Phew...when can I find time to breathe?

It's weird not taking an art class this semester, but I'll get by, right?

Anyway, day one wasn't too bad, and day one part two is only two class so no big.

It's nice to see friends again, and being able to sit with Levi and Christian (and Michael, of course) in LaFortune and get really hyper off ice cream. It's just like we never left.

Three words:

Crazy. Sexy. Cool.

Haha ok that's not really my three words, here they are:

New, exciting, fun.

Breakdance, America, Breakdance.

Today Michael and I were driving to get dinner at Wings, Etc. and we saw a black Uncle Sam break dancing in the middle of the street, literally. He was break dancing, pop and locking in the middle of an intersection. We didn't know what to do.

Blizzard and School.

What a great combination.

Anyway, Michael and I went shopping yesterday...tons of shopping, but it's still not all done. I have to build a bookcase and a jewelry stand, haha. Oh dear. Anyway, not much to say right now. Just waiting for classes to begin in about 45 minutes.

Anyway, as we were driving here we passed a road that I'd never seen before. It's called FAIL road. How scary is that, going to school and you get detoured to Fail Road, I thought it was kind of amusing, actually, but also daunting.

Anyway, back to the grind of things, 9:30-3:15 class straight. 3:15-3:30 walk through a blizzard to work number one, 3:30-5:00 work, 5:00-5:40 take bus to library, 5:40-5:50 walk through blizzard to work number two, 5:50 Arrive for first day of work at job two, Work until 11 pm, walk through blizzard yet again, take shower, do homework, go to bed.

Three(ish) words:

Back to-the grind.

I think that there should be a word that conjoins those two words, they are used together so frequently, it just makes sense.

Sorry for the absence.

Hey all,

Sorry for the absence, had no computer yesterday and today I've been moving in. So my three words for yesterday and all through the upcoming week.

Busy, Busy, BUSY!

Sam's First Eighth Birthday

Today my niece had an unexpected birthday. She's turning eight in February. Michael and I took her to the Shedd Aquarium, and it was free except to see the Sponge Bob Square Pants in 4d, as well as the sharks, but we didn't go there. The Sponge Bob movie was so short that we had to pretend like the 20 bucks we paid was admission into the whole thing for us to feel like it was worth it. Sam also got a facepainting of a dolphin. (Pictures to come later!) After this, we were going to take the bus, but it was snowing so hard outside that we had to take a cab. We went to Navy Pier where sam made her first build-a-bear, which she named Hannah, after Hannah Montana. It was funny because the sound that she put in it was Jingle Bell Rock, and I don't think she understand that it was a Christmas song, but she was set on having it. After all this, we ate at McDonald's...and what happy meal doesn't make a day better...a happy meal with the nutrition facts on the wrapper, that's what. Michael and I calculated that the burger and fries we ate was 80% of the fat intake we were supposed to have in a day. We also went to a game store that was 50% off because it was closing that day. I don't understand why it is only 50% off, it should be discounted more to get the most of what the store has left. Anyway, all in all, I think it was an awesome last day in Chicago. After all this, we still had even more fun by watching Wipe Out on TV before our trek to Orland Park (see last post.)

In three words...

Birthdays are AWESOMEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

First REAL Snow Drive

I drove from downtown Chicago to Orland Park in the middle of a snow storm, and the gps wasn't working for the first 15 minutes of the trip...hah...that was fun. Anyway, I learned some new tricks, like using the windshield wiper fluid to help clean up the outside of the window when driving in the snow. Or the fact that a low clearance car can, indeed, not make it over eight inches of snow. And that black ice sucks. And don't follow a truck that is salting the roads, you will get pelted with salt. And clean behind your tires. And clean all the snow off the top of the roof. Lots and lots of fun stuff.

In three words...

Snow driving...intense.

Three Words - Chicago ABC-7 News

I was watching ABC-7 this morning and "Shadow Stabbing" by cake started playing. As it played it should various videos/pictures of people around the area who described their lives for the week in three words. I like the idea, short, simple and to the point. I want to try to do it at least every Saturday post. So I'll start with today. However I'm going to have to saying three different things.

--

Sad saying goodbye.

Yay! Boyfriend's here!

Learned a lot.

From my friend Sophia - http://www.howmanyfiveyearoldscouldyoutakeinafight.com/

http://www.howmanyfiveyearoldscouldyoutakeinafight.com/
Take the quiz, skip the registration and go to answers.

30

Created by OnePlusYou - Free Dating Sites

Classified Ventures - Apartments.com

December 2008 - January 2009

I was hired as the Design intern for the Product Development department of Apartments.com, a product of Classified Ventures.

"Classified Ventures, LLC ("CV") is a strategic joint-venture 100% owned and funded by five large media partners whose objectives are to collectively capitalize on the revenue growth in the real estate and automotive online advertising categories. Our strategic partners are Belo Corporation, Gannett Company Inc., The McClatchy Company, Tribune Company and The Washington Post Company." -www.classifiedventures.com

Apartments.com is a company that helps find people apartments. It also has a manager center and landlord resource center. Another helpful tool for tenants is the moving center, as well as the Apartment Living newsletter and article database.

My job consisted of a three week internship over the holiday break, I was given several different projects to help the company with, which included the following:

• Designing a "submit photos" logo.
• Designing a new layout for the Apartment Living e-newsletter
• Designing an up and coming development for moving center

These and the other projects that I had at Apartments.com can soon be found on my website, www.kristarose.com.

Projects Pre 2009

Please come back for posts of previous projects later.

Dave and Buster's

Michael and I went to dave and buster's last night. It was the night I lost my dave and buster's virginity, haha. We went to the bar and had really sucky service from the bartender, so the manager started tending to us...and then towards the end of our meal the bartender was trying to milk us for a nice tip by being really nice. That didn't work. We gave the manager a nice big tip, tho. Mike won like three jackpots, and I won one as well...however, we still only had about 1900 tickets. That was $50 worth of playing, tho we got $30 in the mail and the other 20 was so that the meal was $24 bucks...uh yeah...there's a reason why mike's chicken alfredo was only $4. We put ranch all over his chicken, it was supposed to be for my wings...and that seemed to make his dish better only because it was drowned in ranch, so unhealthy. Anyway, I enjoyed dave and buster's, despite some service issues at the bar. I really enjoyed this coin game, where you have a crane like device and you try to knock down as many coins as possible. That was fun. I was trying to hit the jackpot, but would always get overly excited and accidentally knock down the statue in the middle, which cuts your game short. it gets addicting.
--
Anyway, it's my last day at work, I'm gonna miss it a lot.

New Years Resolution - Blog everyday.

Ok, maybe that wasn't my real resolution. But I want to try and blog everyday, it's fun, and I get to talk to the abyss.

Today is my second to last day of my winter internship at Classified Ventures, or rather, Apartments.com. I've had a great run, I just wish it was longer. The people are great, I really love them all here. They are all genuinely nice, and it's a great working environment.

Michael is driving from St. Louis currently, and will hopefully get me hot boba tea in Chinatown. There's a really good place there that I can't currently remember the name of. But here's a picture of it on the left!


Anyway, not much going on today. I'll blog later. Currently my job is to look for other blogs, so I'm blogged out...or should I say blogged down. Haha, ok, bad pun, sorry.

Sometimes I wonder how people survive...

Honestly, I don't understand how some people survive. Today I was waiting for the train, and I saw a lady push herself onto an obviously full car, standing in the way of the door...and then when she finally moved for the door to close, she reaches up and grabs the emergency knob that opens the door to keep from falling. Sometimes, I wish I could give people lessons in common sense.

The picture has very little to do with this story...rather it's just Michael goofing around while we waited for the Red Line...and that's how it relates to the story...they're both about the red line train. Lol

Guard on Goethe

There's some sort of community on Goethe in Chicago, between Dearborn and Clark. I have no idea what it is exactly, but it's a gated community. Anyway, since it's a gated community, obviously, they have a guard in the front. At the beginning of my internship I passed by there and didn't know it was a gated community or that there was a guard, so the person in the wall surprised me. Anyway, I decided to wave hello, and since that day, every morning, instead of taking the bus on Schiller and Clark, I walk down to Goethe and pass by the guard, wave hello, and he waves back, it's like part of my morning routine. Now I'm upset because it's my last week, and I realized that next week he's going to be wondering where I am. Hopefully, he'll be there when I come back in the summer and we can renew our morning routine.
--
It's always nice to spread a smile.

*Note: The community is called Beeker Place at 55 W Goethe*

An introduction would be nice...eh?

Don't you just hate it when someone starts talking to you and rambling on and on and you don't know who they are? Well, I'm sorry that I did that to you, so I guess I should start this post by introducing who I am.

My name is KristaRose M. Mijares. Yes, KristaRose is one word, and yes, the "R" is capitalized. I am a Filipino American who was born and raised in California. I have two older brothers who are both working, and can't believe that there baby sister is already 21.

I am currently a junior at Notre Dame studying Business Administration and Management, specializing in Entrepreneurship, as well as IT. I used to be a photography and design major as well, but I decided that art is more internal and can't be taught thoroughly to someone, rather it is something personal. I was also a theology major, because I am a Roman Catholic with a strong faith. I was also a psychology major because I am interested in how people interact and think.

No, it's not that I'm indecisive, but rather that everything fascinates me. I always like to try new things, and be different and forge my own path. Everything, to me is exciting and new and everyone should be thankful for each and every day because today is the present, a gift from God.

Don't let my religion fool you, I can be quite candid as well. One guarantee is, I love my family, I love my Alma Mater, I love my boyfriend, I love my friends, and I just love my life. I love to work and challenge myself. I think of my life and I always remember an old quote that says, "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and proclaiming, - WOW, WHAT A RIDE!"

Let it snow! ... Cuz I'm inside.

I got to work at 7:30 this morning, thinking "Why the heck am I coming in early?" And now I look outside and it looks like it will be a very white day.

I had a few things to blog about but now I can't really remember.

One note, you can't view this blog on my business website, kristarose.com, but rather my more personal website, krazykreeinc.com, at least it's the personal one for now.

My boyfriend, Michael, is driving up from Corpus Christi, TX, today, but he won't be here until Thursday. I haven't seen him since his father passed away in early December.

Yay blogs!

Finally, I have an official blog that I will be putting on my website, KristaRose.com, thanks to my friend, Ken, at Apartments.com!